BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GOOD LUCK)
Eve Masika, a mother of three and resident of Base camp Lower in the Central Division of Kasese Municipality who won the 21 kilometer Community Bio- Diversity Mock Run over the weekend says she wants to challenge her fellow competitors in the forthcoming Mt. Rwenzori International Marathon.
Slated for August 24, 2024, the International Marathon is part of the activities of the Rwenzori Theluji Festival, an annual tourism event that also features Miss Tourism, Cultural and Trade Expo and Explore Kasese among others.
Speaking to the press shortly after being declared winner of 21-kilometer race that started at the Rwenzori Square in Kasese town to Katiri Roundabout in Bulembia Division and back to the starting point, Masika declared her intention to participate in the 42- kilometer run in the forthcoming International Marathon.
She used the same platform to encourage more girls to embrace some co-curricular activities for health related purposes.
Brian Alinaitwe, who also won the 21- kilometer Community Bio-Diversity Run for men, said he was more than ready to win this year’s International Marathon. Last year, Alinaitwe obtained the 12th position in the International Marathon.
He, however, observed need for all the stakeholders in Kasese district including politicians to support the activities of the International Marathon through financing the already selected runners as they undergo intensive training ahead of the event.
Mr. Morris Muhindo, the Chairperson for Kasese Municipal Sports Association explained that they decided to organize the Community Bio-Diversity Run to prepare the local athletes for the International Marathon.
Representing the Board Chairperson for Kasese Tourism Investors’ Forum, Mr. Patrick Baluku Muhesi, who hailed the organizers of the event, observed need for joint efforts by all the stakeholders to popularize the forthcoming festival that is aimed at boosting the tourism potentials in the district.
The Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Deputy Minister for Youth, Hosea Baluku popularly known as Jobless Billionaire stressed that in addition to boosting tourism, the event would also popularize the culture of the people of Rwenzori to the entire world.
He subsequently asked the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu Youth locally known as “Esyómango” to willingly participate in the activities of the Rwenzori Theluji Festival through exhibiting the cultural values and norms of the Bakonzo coupled with entertaining the guests using the traditional dances.
ENDS